Morrison-Shipley Engineers expands firm ownership

Morrison-Shipley Engineers Inc. (MSE), a Fort Smith-based civil engineering firm, has announced an ownership change.

Company co-founder, chairman and CEO Neal Morrison has sold his ownership position in the company but remains on staff as senior project manager.

Travis Brisendine, a 20-year employee of MSE, is a new owner and board member. He joins existing owners Greg Shipley, Brian Maurer and John Wary.

Both moves coincide with the firm’s longstanding ownership transition plan, according to a company statement.

In his career at MSE, Brisendine has participated in projects totaling more than $150 million in construction. He leads many of the firm’s efforts on water, sewer and drainage projects for the city of Fort Smith. He has also led large-scale site design teams on a number of recent projects in Fort Smith including the Silgan Plastics plant, the Umarex USA headquarters at Chaffee Crossing and the Windgate Arts & Design and Recreation Wellness Center facilities at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Morrison and Shipley founded MSE in 1996. In the 22 years since, the business has grown to include 47 employees, with offices in Fort Smith, Bentonville, Springfield, Mo., and Frisco, Texas.

Morrison, who holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas, was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering in 2008. He was also awarded the Fred M. Carter Award in 1992 for obtaining the highest score on the Arkansas professional engineer exam.